REPORT: Jags expected to move on from QB Blake Bortles in 2019

Thursday night’s loss to the Tennessee Titans marked the second consecutive game in which Blake Bortles didn’t take the field as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting quarterback as he was benched after Week 12’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it probably won’t be long before he’s no longer on their sidelines, too, as the Jags will be moving on from the fifth-year veteran in 2019, basically putting them on the quarterback market.

From Up to the Minute Live: The #Jaguars will have an offseason of some change, and that includes the QB position. They are set to move on from QB Blake Bortles. pic.twitter.com/ThAZcoQl2q

The news on Bortles was pretty much cemented when he was benched after Week 12’s game against the Bills. Rapoport also added the Jags could potentially look to split his 2019 dead money cap hit of $16 million over the course of two years.

As for the Jags’ future at quarterback, it’s a strong possibility they don’t think Cody Kessler is their future as a starter and the draft would make the most sense for an option. That especially could be the case if they can land and early first round selection in the draft order. If they find themselves outside of the top-8 to 10 selections, a trade up in the order also shouldn’t be ruled out.

It goes without saying the Jags are also likely to add a veteran stop-gap quarterback in free agency (if available) to give any potential rookie addition time to be groomed.

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